Since the new healthcare law went into effect March 2010, individual major medical insurance plans and employer sponsored group health plans have undergone many positive changes that will benefit you. This includes mandated coverage for preventive care services and expanded eligibility for young adults less than age 26. For a summary of the new healthcare law and timeline, including the latest information regarding new consumer protections, visit our healthcare reform blog.

Other types of health insurance that you can shop and apply for online through this site for Arkansas include:

Individual Dental Insurance

Are you one of 150 million estimated Americans who do not have dental insurance? If so, have you considered an individual dental insurance plan? Full coverage dental insurance helps maintain proper health and financial well-being. Choose from a variety of plans in Arkansas. You can even continue to use your own dentist! Inexpensive dental insurance is perfect for students too. Get a quote and apply online today. It is fast and easy!

If you are unable to qualify for individual major medical insurance in Arkansas due to a pre existing health condition or cannot afford it, then a guaranteed health insurance plan or mini med is an alternative worth considering. Also referred to as health insurance for pre existing conditions, this type of individual medical insurance is often called the cheapest health insurance. There is generally no medical underwriting so acceptance is usually guaranteed. Since benefit payments made by the guaranteed medical insurance plan are fixed, the coverage is not considered major medical insurance. Additionally, health conditions that existed prior to the effective date of the medical insurance policy are not covered for typically 12 months. Having some form of medical insurance, however, enables individuals to gain access to the healthcare system in Arkansas and typically receive a higher level of care than if they did not have health insurance. Think about it. What is one of the first questions a healthcare provider asks when making an appointment? “Do you have medical insurance?”

Medical Insurance Overseas

Are you traveling from Arkansas to a destination outside the United States or taking a school trip to another country? Medical insurance overseas and international student medical insuranceis designed to provide additional protection should you or a family member require healthcare overseas. Since most individual medical insurance offers limited or no coverage outside the United States, make sure you are adequately protected before you leave Arkansas. Medical insurance overseas and international student medical insurance provides additional benefits, such as emergency air evacuation and travel assistance if you lose your passport or experience flight delays or cancellations due to weather or other causes.

Critical Illness Insurance

Could your nest egg withstand the financial impact of a critical illness? Even though medical insurance covers the cost of medical services and supplies, surgery and hospitalization, there are still many uninsured expenses, such as deductibles, prescription drugs, home healthcare and private nursing, and lost income/ wages. Critical illness protection insurance will pay a lump sum of cash upon the first diagnosis of a critical illness. Critical illness protection works well with a high deductible medical insurance plan because the premium savings can be used to pay for critical illness insurance and the cash benefit can help cover the high deductible.

Prescription Drug Card

Do you not have medical insurance in Arkansas that covers prescription medication? Are you paying for expensive drugs out of your pocket? If yes, then consider a prescription drug card. It can help make the cost of prescription medication more affordable for you and your family. Learn more about how a prescription drug card can help you today!

Free Health Discount Plan

As a thank you to our Arkansas visitors, we offer a free health discount plan (not insurance). You will save 13% to 65% on prescriptions at 50,000 participating pharmacies nationally, including major chains. Also, save 25% to 40% over usual dental charges at 101,000 dental providers nationally, and 10% to 50% off eyewear, contact lenses and corrective surgery at 10,500 optical centers and major vision chains! No personal information required. This free drug discount card is even valid on many prescriptions for your pet! Get your free health discount plan now!

State Facts & Health Statistics

Arkansas

U.S. Overall

Total Population

2,831,900

303,343,300

Life Expectancy (years)

75.5

78.0

Median Annual Income

$39,392

$49,949

Healthcare Spending per Person

$4,863

$5,283

Average Annual % Growth- Healthcare Spending

6.9%

5.5%

Uninsured Population

526,400

49,997,900

Average Daily Cost of Inpatient Hospital Stay

$1,381

$1,782

Adult Smokers*

22.3%

18.3%

Adult Overweight/ Obesity Rate*

63.5%

60.8%

Child Overweight/ Obesity Rate*

37.5%

31.6%

Adults with Diabetes*

10.0%

8.3%

Alzheimer’s Deaths per 100,000

24.6

22.7

Invasive Cancer Rate per 100,000

457.3

461.8

Heart Disease Deaths per 100,000

221.8

190.9

* % of population
Kaiser Family Foundation Reports- state health facts 2005-2010

Medical Insurance Arkansas

Health insurance companies are now required to post explanations of premium increases of 10% or more and submit them for review to state and federal regulators. This mandate is required by the new healthcare law. By requiring health insurance companies to justify premium increases, there is greater price transparency and increased public pressure to keep rates lower in order to avoid bad press.

The new law still has a loophole though. Even if government officials consider the premium increase unjustified, the law does not give state and federal regulators the power to block rate hikes unless the state previously had authority to regulate health insurance rates.

Prior to this new rule, only the states below had existing regulations that required all health plans, HMOs, Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans and health insurance companies to submit rates for approval before using:

Arkansas

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Note:

Most of the above states “deem” health insurance rates approved in 30 to 90 days unless the state regulators formally object prior to that time.

Each state’s authority over health insurance rates can vary by type of medical insurance plan. Group Association health insurance plans, for example, that are not filed directly with the state because they are domiciled in another state may not have to file rates for approval.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will rely on state insurance regulators to scrutinize medical insurance rates. However, HHS will handle oversight of health insurance rates in states where it has determined that state supervision is inadequate. These states include:

Alabama

Arizona

Louisiana

Missouri

Montana

Pennsylvania

Virginia

Wyoming

HHS will be working with states to set individual state-by-state thresholds for health insurance premium rate hikes that will require public explanation from health insurance companies.

Looking for affordable medical insurance? Our online health insurance quotes enable you to shop and perform side by side comparisons of medical plans offered by leading insurance companies in your state. Get started today!

Having adequate, affordable medical insurance is essential because it helps ensure access to quality healthcare and helps pay for the high cost of medical services, supplies, surgery and hospitalization. You and your dependents may be eligible for one or more of the following alternatives in Arkansas:

Medical insurance for young adults less than age 26 -Arkansas

Under the new healthcare law, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), effective September 2010, young adults covered their parent’s medical insurance are eligible to remain covered up to age 26. Previously, most young adults “aged off” their parent’s medical insurance when they turned 19 or graduated from college. The young adult is not required to live with their parents to be eligible. They can even be married. Find more details regarding medical coverage for adults less than age 26 by visiting our healthcare reform blog.

Guaranteed health insurance for children less than age 19 – Arkansas

Also under PPACA, effective September 2010, medical insurance companies and health plans must provide coverage to children less than age 19, regardless of their health status. Previously, all applicants regardless of age could be denied individual medical insurance or have restrictions put on their medical insurance (Exclusionary Endorsements or Elimination Riders) that exclude pre-existing medical conditions from being covered. For more information regarding guaranteed health insurance for children less than age 19, visit our healthcare reform blog.

COBRA continuation coverage – Arkansas

Passed by Congress in 1985, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act requires health insurance continuation coverage be offered to employees, their spouses, their former spouses and their dependent children when group health coverage would otherwise be lost due to specific events. Continuation coverage must be made available for 18, 29, or 36 months. Although generally expensive, COBRA can be an excellent alternative for individuals who cannot obtain an individual or self-employed medical insurance policy due to pre-existing health conditions. For COBRA eligibility rules and other details, visit our research center.

Conversion policy

For individuals currently covered under an employer (group) health insurance plan that are leaving the employer, it might be possible to convert the job-based health insurance plan to an individual medical insurance policy. This is called “conversion” coverage. It is not the same COBRA continuation coverage because benefits are usually reduced or limited. Contact your employer or employer (group) health insurance carrier for information.

HIPAA coverage – Arkansas

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guarantees the right to purchase private major medical insurance to “HIPPA eligible individuals,” regardless of their health status. HIPAA also prohibits medical insurance companies from excluding or restricting coverage for pre-existing conditions. This is important because most private health insurance is currently medically underwritten, except for children less than age 19 as explained above. Consequently, individuals 18 and older with medical conditions may not qualify.

A “HIPAA Eligible Individual” is someone who has/ is:

Had continuous (no break in coverage for 63 days or longer) credible medical insurance coverage for at least eighteen months with the most recent coverage being under a group health plan,

Lost group coverage due to circumstances other than fraud or non-payment of premium (whether you quit your job, were fired or laid off does not matter),

Elected and exhausted COBRA continuation coverage, if eligible (employers less than 20 employees are not subject to COBRA),

Not be eligible for coverage under another group health plan, Medicare or Medicaid, and

Not currently covered under a medical insurance plan

In Arkansas, “HIPAA eligible individuals” may purchase individual medical insurance directly from Arkansas’s High Risk Pool. The state’s High Risk Pool is required to offer individual medical insurance regardless of a person’s health status. For more details regarding HIPAA visit our research center.

Medicaid – Arkansas

Medicaid offers healthcare coverage to certain people with limited income that meet Arkansas’s Medicaid eligibility requirements. Generally, children and parents, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and seniors are included. Medicaid programs are run by states with a mix of state and federal funding. There are certain core rules all states must follow, but some Medicaid rules vary by state.

Since most states are currently facing severe budget deficits, Medicaid eligibility rules and benefits provided under the program may have recently changed. Please visit Arkansas’s Medicaid program for current information and details.

State Children’s Health Insurance Plan – Arkansas

If you are seeking health insurance for your children, President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Bill on February 4, 2009. It enables millions of children to receive health insurance. The eligibility rules for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan are unique because every state has its own program and rules. Generally, uninsured children 18 years old and younger whose families earn up to $44,500 a year (for a family of four) are eligible for free or low-cost health insurance that pays for doctor visits, dental care, prescription medicines and hospitalization.

The PCIP is a new program offered in every state under the new healthcare law. It can be administered by either states or the Federal government. The PCIP may be able to help you if are unable to qualify for individual major medical insurance. You may qualify if you have been:

Uninsured for at least six months

Have a pre-existing medical condition(s), and

Have been denied coverage (or offered insurance without coverage of the pre-existing condition) by a private health insurance company.

PCIP covers major-medical and prescription drug expenses. You’re responsible for paying premium, deductible, copayments, and coinsurance amounts. PCIP will not cost you more just because of your health condition. PCIP is not based on income eligibility like Medicaid.

Guaranteed Health Insurance, also called Mini-Med, Limited Benefit or Pre-Existing Condition Medical Insurance is another option if you are unable to qualify for individual major medical insurance. Since most Guaranteed Health Insurance Plans are not medically underwritten acceptance is guaranteed.

Want to save money on healthcare expenses by paying reduced fees (discounts with participating healthcare providers can range from 10 to 25% and eliminate balance billing- owing the healthcare provider the difference between their retail charge and the rate negotiated by the preferred provider network)

Want an ID Card to gain access to the healthcare system in the event that unexpected medical care is needed.

The oversight of individual, self-employed and small employer medical insurance happens at the state level. Since every state has its own unique set of regulations aimed at maintaining low cost medical insurance, the laws governing health insurance contracts vary dramatically. Some states have the authority to disapprove a health insurance company’s premium increase, while others simply review rates but do not have the authority to reject an increase. The laws also differ based on the type of medical insurance policy offered by the health insurance company and how their policy is filed in Arkansas. Some health insurance policies are filed directly with Arkansas, while others are considered “out-of-state” trust or group association arrangements. The former are generally subject to greater regulation thereby giving Arkansas more control and authority over what benefits must be provided and the premiums that can be charged.

In Arkansas, rates for health insurance policies must generally be filed but can be used immediately without formal “approval” after 30 days. This type of limited oversight often relies on consumer complaints to indicate a problem, so individuals are not always protected against large medical insurance premium increases.

New medical insurance rate review requirements

Since medical insurance premiums have doubled during the past 10 years, under the new healthcare law, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Congress enacted special rate review provisions to help consumers get “better value for their health care dollars.” PPACA requires the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to work in collaboration with state insurance commissioners to review “unreasonable increases in medical insurance premiums.”

The new healthcare law also requires medical insurance companies and health plans that propose an “unreasonable” rate increase to provide justification for the increase to HHS, and post the justification on their websites. Additionally, in order to promote price transparency, HHS asked the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop a standard rate filing disclosure form that all health plans must use when justifying unreasonable rate increases to HHS and Arkansas. The goal is to ensure that regulators and the public can access the data and justifications in a way that allows for “apples-to-apples” comparisons. “Grandfathered” health insurance policies (medical insurance that was effective before March 2010 when the new healthcare law was enacted) are exempt from this new rate review requirement.

State grants to support review of medical insurance premiums and rate increases

Lastly, PPACA provides a pool of $250 million in grant funding for state insurance departments to support an enhanced review of medical insurance rates and premium increases. It should be noted that PPACA does not alter Arkansas’s existing regulatory authority over health insurance rates and premium increases.